In a landmark move set to transform the rental housing landscape in Odisha, the state government has unveiled the proposed Odisha Urban Rent Control Act, 2026.
The new legislation aims to replace the outdated 59-year-old House Rent Control Act of 1967 and bring transparency, accountability, and modernity to tenant-landlord relationships across urban areas.
Under the proposed law, oral rental agreements will be completely banned. All landlords and tenants will be required to execute a written tenancy agreement, which must be registered with the Rent Authority and the local police station within two months of signing.
To make the process seamless, the government will introduce a fully digital online portal for registration, allowing parties to complete formalities with ease while ensuring records are transparent and easily accessible.
Key Highlights:
- Mandatory Written Contracts: No more handshake deals or verbal understandings—every rental must be documented.
- Registration Deadline: Agreements to be registered within 60 days.
- Digital Portal: A user-friendly online system for registration and tracking.
- Market-Driven Rents: No government intervention in fixing or increasing rent; parties can decide mutually and mention terms in the agreement.
- Repeal of Old Laws: The 1967 Act and its 1974 amendments will be scrapped once the new law is enacted.
The initiative is modelled after the Government of India’s Model Tenancy Act and is expected to protect the interests of both landlords and tenants while reducing disputes. Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, has issued a public notice inviting suggestions and feedback from the general public, landlords, tenants, experts, and organisations before finalising the Act.
This reform comes at a time when Odisha’s urban centres, especially Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Rourkela, are witnessing rapid growth in rental housing demand. Officials believe the new digital and mandatory registration system will curb black-money transactions, protect genuine tenants from arbitrary eviction, and give landlords better legal recourse.
The public has been urged to submit their views on the draft legislation at the earliest.
